How/ What to do with the railing?

Fantastic · 02-22-2011, 08:18 PM

Hey Everyone,

I'm new to the site but a seasoned DIY'er and having said that I don't know everything!!

I am laying 3/4" hardwood flooring throughout my house. Surrounding the basement stairway and a step down to the front entry way, there is railing.

I began prepping the area today for the nosing. In my mind I thought I would just remove the railing all at once, lay the nosing and reinstall the railing on top of the nosing... That's not the case! Attached you'll see a pic (#1)of where the nosing actually sits. It's not wide enough to go underneath the railing!! And I can't move the railing over as there isn't room to do that... Due to where the post is attached to the floor joist below subfloor.

My thought right now is to put another 4" board down to go underneath the spindles... to make it look symmetrical.

My question is this...

IS THERE ANOTHER/EASIER WAY TO DO THIS??

Any ideas would be appreciated! I've attached a couple other pics just in case it helps with ideas??

Thanks

bernieb · 02-22-2011, 09:19 PM

This is a tough one. Above all take measurements from a wall where spindles and main post set. The main end post is probably hollow inside, with a pair of 1x4's inside that stick down, but you won't really know untill you take up. I would cut flush with the floor, and then split the old and put back new inside the post and down under. Pull all the railing out,set aside, and forget it for now. Concentrate on a good looking hardwood floor job. You may have to use dowel pins on the spindles on the put back, but the main post is the dark horse when anchoring. Bernie

Fantastic · 02-22-2011, 10:04 PM

There are 3 main posts that I have access to from underneath... below is an unfinished furnace/laundry room. The end posts (x2) are half size and only nailed to the wall.